How do you change a starter on a 2003 Mercury Sable?

Answer 1

Just changed the starter in my daughter's '97 Aspire, two days ago. It'll help if you go buy the replacement starter prior to removing the old one. It cost me a little over $100 with a $30 core charge.

First remove the battery. You'll then need a 8mm, 12mm, and 14mm socket.

Remove the two 8mm nuts holding the starter to the bracket.

Remove the two 12mm bolts holding the bracket to the frame. Once their out, you'll have to clear the studs on the starter and pull the bracket out.

Remove the two 14mm bolts that hold the starter to the block(look at replacement starter for position).

Once these two bolts are out, undo the electrical connection (two wires) and the starter will come right out.

Reverse the process for installation.

It took me about 45 minutes to complete.

Answer 2

disconnect the negative battery terminal then there r 2 bolts holding the starter in place....remove them and then disconnect the electrical connections on the left side of the starter (remember where they go on the new one) then hook up the new starter in reverse (very easy job)

easy? There are three bolts and the third one is a very difficult to get to. good luck, i have spent three hours so far and the starter motor is still there; i need to remove the tranny but the starter is in the way i will update you all later

I'm with the second poster.. there is nothing easy about changing the starter... After fighting cussing and becoming incensed by the stupid designers of this vehicle I finally bought a gear wrench. Even that took about 20 minutes of micro inch by micro inch of turning to finally get that third bolt.. (unnecessarily difficult job)

Answer 3

2.0L Engine Fig. 1: Remove the three starter mounting bolts Fig. 2: Carefully lower the starter out of the vehicle # Disconnect the negative battery cable. # Remove air intake resonators. # Remove starter motor upper mounting bolts. # Raise and support the vehicle. # Remove the nuts on the starter terminals and remove the cables from the terminals. # Remove the two starter lower retaining bolts and remove the starter. To install: # Place the starter into position and tighten the 2 lower retaining bolts to 15-20 ft. lbs (20-27 Nm). # Place the starter cables onto the terminals and tighten the retaining nuts to 80-124 inch lbs. (5-7 Nm). # Lower the vehicle. # Install and tighten the upper retaining bolt to 15-20 ft. lbs (20-27 Nm). # Install the air intake resonators. # Connect the negative battery cable. 2.5L Engine Fig. 3: Starter mounting - 2.5L engine # Disconnect the negative battery cable. # Remove the engine air cleaner assembly. # Remove the fuel feed and return lines from the support bracket located on the accelerator cable bracket, and remove the fuel line bracket. # On vehicles equipped with a automatic transaxle, remove the gear selector and the gear shift cable bracket from the transaxle. # Remove the air cleaner support bracket from the engine and transaxle mount. # Remove the nuts on the starter terminals and remove the cables from the terminals. # Remove the starter motor-to-transaxle case retaining bolt at the rear of the starter. # Remove the two starter retaining bolts and carefully lift the starter from the transaxle case while disengaging the alignment pins. To install: # Position the starter onto the alignment pins and onto the transaxle case. # Install the two starter retaining bolts and the rear retaining bolt and tighten them to 15-21 ft. lbs. (21-29 Nm). # Place the starter cables onto the terminals and tighten the retaining nuts to 80-124 inch lbs. (5-7 Nm). # Install the air cleaner support bracket. # If removed, install the gear shift selector and bracket. # Install the fuel line bracket and install the fuel lines in the bracket. # Install the air cleaner assembly. # Connect the negative battery cable. Reference http://www.freeautomechanic.com

Answer 4

Answer
It's simple. 2 bolts, two wires.

Disconnect the battery first to avoid shock.

• Raise the front of the car, put jackstands underneath.
  
• Crawl under the front, look up, there is the starter.
  
• Remove the two wires, note their positions, one is big, the other is small.
  
• Remove the two bolts, remove the starter, be careful not to let it drop on your head, it might hurt.
  
• Replace with new starter,
  
• install the two bolts,
  
• install the two wires (they will only go on one way).
  
• Lower the car, reconnect the battery, and...

... Voila! 30 minutes later, you are done! Go get an ice cream or a soda, you deserve a reward!

See "Related Questions" below for more

Answer 5

Disconnect battery.

Raise and properly support front of vehicle.

Locate starter which is located under car where engine and tranny connect.

Remove nuts that secure wires to starter.

Remove move bolts securing starter.

Install new starter in reverse order of removal.

Answer 6

The starter on this Mercury and the similar Ford Taurus is almost front centre of the engine, just below the oil filter. I find it quite easy to change from the hood side (top) without jacking the car up. Just disconnect the battery, then remove the battery cable from the starter, then undo the 2 bolts holding it to the torque converter cover

Answer 7

This should help. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_change_the_starter_on_a_1993_lincoln_continental

Answer 8

Disconnect battery Lift vehicle (right side) Remove mounting bolts Disconnect wiring Wiggle starter to remove (should slide back and out)